Where's the bear? Family Camping Trip Preparedness Quiz

"Be Prepared" is the Boy Scout motto, and is critical when going on a camping trip whether in the middle of the wilderness or at a family campground. Take this quiz to see how geared up you are for the great outdoors!

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Question 1 of 20

What is key gear to have on a family camping trip?

folding saw

first aid kit

both items

A first aid kit goes without saying -- you need to be able to take care of cuts and bruises. But a folding saw is great for cutting rope and firewood or clearing a path. However, do check that it's allowed in national parks and campgrounds.

Question 2 of 20

When camping with children, what's a good communication guideline?

Give each person a whistle.

Whistles are a great way to stay in touch. They carry further than the human voice and you don't have to worry about having a cell signal. Of course, you don’t want children to wander off but teach them the universal help signal - 3 blows of the whistle -- just in case.

Make sure everyone has a cell phone.

Don't let them out of your sight.

Question 3 of 20

True or False: If you need additional drinking water while camping, use the nearest stream.

TRUE

FALSE

Always assume nature's water supplies are contaminated, simply because wild and domestic animals that have access to them. Parasites and disease is always a possiblity, so BYO-Water.

Question 4 of 20

When camping in winter climates, what reduces your body's heat and warmth the quickest?

loss of body heat due to wind

Convection, or loss of body heat due to wind blowing on uncovered parts, can reduce your body's heat the fastest. When camping in wintertime, cover as much as you can, minimizing exposure, especially in a windy climate.

absorption of the cold when sitting or sleeping on cold surfaces

Both are equally bad.

Question 5 of 20

What should you NOT do if you are lost in the woods while camping?

Follow a river or creek.

Do not follow a river; you're more likely to found by staying where you are. Stay hydrated, and if you can make noise to draw attention, do so.

Blow a whistle or yell.

Climb a tree.

Question 6 of 20

What is a good use for plastic bags in an emergency situation?

Blow them up as a flotation device.

Use them as a signaling device.

Plastic bags are great supplies on camping trips. Aside from helping keep things dry (even people if you cut a hole in the bag), and keeping wildlife away from smelly items, brightly colored bags can be used as signaling devices.

Wave them to distract and scare a bear.

Question 7 of 20

True or False: If a bear is acting like it is going to attack you, it's a good idea to toss your backpack at the animal.

TRUE

FALSE

Keep your backpack with you as protection. In the extreme situation of a bear attack, fall on the ground in the fetal position, protecting your chest and abdomen.

Question 8 of 20

True or False: You want to pitch your tent close to your campfire site for warmth.

TRUE

FALSE

You do not want to set your tent too close to your campfire because of fire hazard. Likewise, make sure you bring a tent made of flame-retardant materials.

One hundred feet gives you safety from potential fire dangers and also helps prevent animals coming near your sleeping area. Wildlife, including bears, can sniff out the food, so you don't want it anywhere near your tent.

Question 10 of 20

True or False: Long pants and shirts are better for hiking than shorts and T-shirts.

TRUE

Lightweight long pants and shirts are better because they protect you from insects (ticks, mosquitos), as well as poison ivy, thorns, branches and sunburn.

FALSE

Question 11 of 20

A first aid kit should contain which of the following?

razor blades

needle

While it sounds more like a sewing kit, a needle, along with tweezers, are must-haves for removing splinters or ticks. Scissors are essential for cutting bandages, tapes or gauze.

thread

Question 12 of 20

What are the correct safety guidelines for building a campfire?

Build close to a tree for a convenient supply of bark or kindling.

Enclose fire in a metal ring or circle of rocks.

Build campfires away from trees because overhanging branches could catch fire. Fire safety professionals may use sand, but you want to have a bucket of water and a shovel close by. The metal circle or rocks keep your fire contained and help prevent forest fires.

Have a bucket of sand close by for putting out the fire.

Question 13 of 20

True or False: Children lose water more frequently than adults.

TRUE

When hiking with kids, plan regular water breaks and then add in a few extras. Children lose water quicker than adults when exercising, but aren't as aware of dehydration signs.

FALSE

Question 14 of 20

During a dry season or fire-hazard period, how should you handle cooking while camping?

You shouldn't camp during a fire-hazard period.

Use a portable stove.

A smart camper can still have a successful trip and a hot meal. Use a portable stove instead of a campfire to eliminate any chance of a fire starting or spreading.

Use only dehydrated meals where you just add water.

Question 15 of 20

What is NOT something you do if you are spotted by a bear?

Assume a non-threatening position.

Run downhill.

Never try to outrun a bear. It can run faster than you can. If you need to talk, do it in a calm voice. Bending at the knee helps you look smaller. The bear will hopefully see you are a non-threatening human and walk away.

Talk in a calm voice.

Question 16 of 20

What is giardia lamblia?

the scientific classification for ticks

a parasite found in rivers

It's a parasite that you can ingest if you drink contaminated water. Because any natural-looking lake, river or stream can be polluted by wild or domestic animals, always bring a drinking water supply.

the technical name for poison ivy

Question 17 of 20

When camping in winter climates, what does NOT help with cold conduction?

a warm campfire

Conduction is when your body absorbs the cold, from the ground or cold things you touch. Sit on a stool instead of directly on the ground, wear gloves when you handle cold objects (like canteens or cookware) and always put a sleeping pad between your sleeping bag and the ground.

a campstool

a sleeping pad

Question 18 of 20

When camping with your family, your communication plan should include:

the buddy system

In the great outdoors, pair everyone up, and hand out whistles. The signal for help is three blows. Two blows mean that you've heard the help call.

a cell phone

Morse code

Question 19 of 20

True or False: Your tent is the best place for food storage because you can zip it closed.

TRUE

FALSE

NEVER store food in a tent because animals, including bears, can easily sniff it out, whether you're in the tent or not. Plastic bags, special "bear bags" or animal proof containers stored away from the tent are best. Or, lock food in your car.

Question 20 of 20

When camping, who should know your itinerary?

your boss

your doctor

your neighbor

Your boss is most concerned with when you're coming back to work and hopefully, you won't need your doctor, but a relative or neighbor needs to have your schedule, so if you don't return on time he or she can alert authorities.